Printer&#39;s chase



y 1 e. D. MARCY 1,964,957

PRINTER S CHASE Filed Dec. 26, 1931 Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printers chases. Such a chaseordinarily comprises a shallow steel frame within which forms and pagesof type matter may be assembled and locked in printing position so as topermit the entire assembly to be lifted from an imposing surface andplaced in the press. Under the lateral pressure necessary to hold aheavy type form securely, the chase is likely to be deformed, straightlines therein becoming curved, and its critical dimensions altered. Toavoid such conditions great dexterity and many readjustments of thelocking quoins are required, since each deflection from a rectangularcontour in the chase changes the position of the type matter and loosensquoins previously set. Efforts have been made to minimize thisdifliculty, as by making the chase heavier in structure and by insertingone or more median bars to act as tension members between opposite sidesof the chase or frame. These expedients, however, have not been entirelysatisfactory. Making the chase heavier so widens its sides as to preventutilization of the full capacity of the press and furthermore theincreased weight of the chase and renders its handling more difiicult.The application of median bars, whether welded to or dovetailed into thechase, is also objectionable since they seriously limit the adaptabilityof the chase or so seriously weaken the sides thereof as to increaserather than decrease the difficulty. Furthermore, in both these casesthe bars are immovable and the chase is, therefore, divided into fixedareas in each of which independent type-locking operations must be madein two directions.

The present invention aims to eliminate the difficulties above discussedand to provide an improved printers chase which is adequately sup portedagainst lateral deflection or deformation and in which the furnituredividing the chase into compartments has a limited lateral adjustmentpermitting a variation in the sizecf the compartments and alsopermitting the utilization of the same locking means to lock the type inadjacent compartments by pressure extending entirely across the chase.The invention, therefore, not only provides a more adaptable chase butalso one in which the type may be more conveniently and readily lockedinto position and without danger of deflecting the chase or disturbingthe type therein. I

In a more specific aspect, my invention utilizes a tie rod or tensionmember of relatively small diameter which can be passed through thesides frame and are threaded at their inner ends into of the chasewithout causing serious weakening thereof. Such a rod may be arranged toremain stationary and firmly to support the sides of the chase againstoutward deflection. The furniture which divides the chase intocompartments is 80 preferably in the form of a rectangular tube or itsequivalent and is so mounted on the rod as to have free lateral movementthereon, thus providing for a limited variation in the size of thecompartments and permitting one set of quoins to lock up the type onboth sides of the bar.

The invention will be best understood and appreciated from the followingdescription of one preferred form thereof, selected for purposes ofillustration and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which 1 Fig. 1 isa fragmentary view in perspective of a printers chase embodying myinvention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of Fig.1.

The chase illustrated in the drawing consists of a rectangular framecomprising four steel side members 12 joined together at their ends, oneside member not being shown. In Fig. 1, I have illustrated this frame asdivided into four compartments by four pieces of furniture 18, 20, 22and 23 but it will, of course, be understood that the frame may beotherwise divided, as for example in one direction by a rigid orpermanent median bar in the manner heretofore practiced.

The frame sides 12 are drilled and countersunk at suitable points 14 forreceiving tie rods 24 and their slotted heads 25. In the constructionillustrated these rods extend only part way across the a common centerblock 16. The rods thus serve to tie the opposite sides of the frametogether and positively prevent spreading under the pressure of thelocking quoins 28. It will be clear that the rods can be adjusted as totheir effective length to place the desired amount of stress on theframe sides and hold the side members in exact alignment.

Each piece of furniture 18, 20, 22, 23 comprises a rectangular tube andeach such tube surrounds .1 with clearance one of the tie rods 24 and isheld against vertical displacement from its proper position in the chaseby a rib or key 15 on the outer end of the tube engaging within a groove13 in the interior wall of the frame. Due to this key connection withthe chase and to the relatively wide rectangular opening through thetube, each tube has a limited free movement laterally with respect toits rod. It will also be noted that the center block 16 is provided withcorner notches 17 so that the adjacent faces thereof separate the endsof the tubes and prevent interference when they are shifted toward thesame quarter of the chase.

In using my improved chase, the forms or body of type matter 30 are setup upon a steel imposing surface within the compartments of the chaseand properly spaced therein in the usual manner by pieces of furniture26. The locking-in operation is then performed by the quoins 28 locatedbetween a side of the chase and one of the pieces 26. Relativeadjustment of these quoins places the type body under a considerablelocking pressure, as is well understood. In the ordinary chase whosesides are not supported by tie rods, this pressure tends to produce adistortion of the frame and a displacing and curving of the type andforms. In my improved frame, however, the tie rods compensate for thethrust of the quoins and hold the frame securely against distortionunder this pressure. The frame being thus held accurately to its trueshape, the type remains in straight line position, thereby eliminatingmuch of the difiiculty and trouble heretofore experienced in theseoperations.

It will furthermore be noted that since the pieces of furniture 18, 20,22 and 23 are free to move laterally, one set of quoins on one side ofthe frame serves the functions which heretofore required two sets, oneon each side of the frame. Quoins 28 located along one side of the frameact entirely across the frame and place the type in this entire halfthereof under pressure by acting against and through the movablefurniture 22 which is free to shift on its rod 24. In like manner quoins28, acting through furniture 18 and 20, places the type entirely acrossthe chase under pressure. Thus in my improved chase the number of quoinsnecessary is reduced by one half and the locking-up operation is verymuch simplified, expedited and improved, as will be understood.

While some slight variation in the size of compartments is permitted,due to lateral motion of furniture on the bar in any one position of thebar, adaptability of the chase as a whole is secured through havingcountersunk holes for the tie rods located atdifferent points on thechase, the rods being easily removable, and different sets provided forvarious arrangements .of space to meet the printers requirements.

This has been attempted in previous chase constructions, by havingremovable median bars, fitting into dovetail notches at differentpositions in the side members, and having halved joints wherever themedian bars might cross each other if more than one are used. Thedisadvantage of this construction is that the removal of the metal toform the dovetail notch seriously weakens the side member of the chasejust where the strain is greatest; furthermore, the wedging action ofthe dovetail joint itself, which is considerable when the bar is underlock-up pressure, tends to increase the deformation, and concentrate thestress at the weakest point.

It is my contention that in my construction holes can be drilled atdifferent points for varying the location of the tension members,without seriously weakening the side members, thus increasing itsadaptability to varying needs of the printer, and making it unnecessaryto have a wide assortment of solid or semi-adjustable chases to hold anykind of work which might come in.

It will be understood that in Fig. 1 the piece of furniture 20 isrepresented as having been displaced toward the right with reference toits tie rod 24 by the pressure of the quoins at the left end of thechase. This pressure is transmitted to the type set in the portion ofthe chase which is broken away and not shown in Fig. 1. It will befurther understood that the action of the tie rods is positively to holdthe center of each side member of the chase accurately in line withoutpermitting any deflection therein. The tie rods 24 may be adjusted towithstand this pressure once for all in setting up the chase or it maybe adjusted, if necessary, as the type is set therein.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A chase comprising a frame, a tie rod connected to opposite sidesthereof, and a piece of furniture surrounding the rod and mounted forlateral movement with respect thereto.

2. A chase comprising a frame, a tie rod connected to opposite sidesthereof, a piece of furniture enclosing the rod and mounted in the chasefor lateral movement with respect thereto, and means providing a slidingengagement between the furniture and frame limiting displacement of thefurniture with respect to the frame.

3. A chase comprising a frame, a junction block disposed within theframe, two tie rods having their outer ends anchored in opposite sidesof the frame and their inner ends in the block, and pieces of furnituremounted on the rods so as to be movable laterally thereon.

4. A chase comprising a frame, a junction block disposed within theframe, two tie rods having their inner ends anchored in opposite sidesof the block and their outer ends anchored in the adjacent sides of theframe, pieces of furniture loosely mounted on the rods for lateralmovement thereon, and means providing a sliding engagement between theouter ends of the furniture and the frame limiting the displacement ofthe furniture.

5. A chase comprising a frame, a junction block disposed within theframe, two tie rods having their inner ends anchored in opposite sidesof the block and their outer ends anchored in the adjacent sides of theframe, two tie rods angularly disposed with respect to the first-namedrods and having their inner ends anchored in opposite sides of the blockand their outer ends anchored in the adjacent sides of the frame, andfour pieces of furniture loosely mounted on the rods and movablelaterally thereon.

6. A chase comprising a frame, a junction block disposed within theframe, two tie rods having their inner ends anchored in opposite sidesof the block and their outer ends anchored in the adjacent sides of theframe, two tie rods angularly disposed with respect to the first-namedrods and having their inner ends anchored in opposite sides of the blockand their outer ends anchored in the adjacent sides of the frame, fourpieces of furniture loosely mounted on the rods and movable laterallythereon, and tongue and groove connections between the ends of thepieces of furniture and the frame to limit the displacement of thefurniture.

7. A chase comprising a rigid frame having longitudinal slots inopposite interior walls, a piece of furniture extending across the frameand having tongues fitting in said slots which guide the piece offurniture for lateral movement in the frame and hold it against angularor vertical dis-. if

placement, and means extending longitudinally through the furniture andcooperating with the sides of the frame at the ends of the furniture forsupporting said sides against relative lateral movement.

8. A chase comprising a frame, a tie rod extending across the interiorof the frame and connected to opposite sides thereof to prevent bowingunder pressure, a piece of furniture disposed in parallel relation tothe rod and mounted in the chase for lateral movement with respectthereto, and a tongue at the end of the furniture engaging within a slotin the frame and acting to limit the displacement of the furniture withrespect to the frame.

9. A chase including in its structure side memhers having oppositelydisposed spaced holes therein, a tie rod adapted to be inserted throughany selected pair of holes and to be tensioned to hold said membersagainst bowing, and a piece of furniture surrounding the tie rod andmounted for lateral movement independently thereof.

10. A chase including in its structure opposite- 1y disposed sidemembers, a hollow piece of furniture arranged to slide transversely withits ends in engagement with said side members, and a tie rod extendingwith clearance through said piece of furniture and being adjustable asto its effective length to hold the said members against bowing when thechase is locked about a body of type.

GROSVENOR D. MARCY.

